Customer Reviews

Jerusalem

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Recorded five years after Bob Marley's death and a year before the great drummer Carlton Barrett's murder, this is probably the final performance of The Wailers with Carlton on drums.   There's some great music here, especially the track "Bloodshed in Africa," with the fantastic lead guitar of Junior Marvin, wonderful drumming from Carlton Barrett, and the Wailers' unique ensemble sound. Alpha Blondy is a worthy successor to Marley in fronting this classic band.

I first heard Jerusalem almost 10 years ago and it sounds just as good today as it ever did. A must have cd for anyone that likes reggae.

That the best reggae does not only come from Jamaica has been clearly pointed out by British bands such as Aswad. But a later wave of excellent reggae comes from Africa where it is blended with more traditional African rhythms and lyrics.

Who, like me, loves reggae but grows weary of the Rastafarian song texts after some time this albums is a must have.
The album is in the great tradition of Bob Marley: politically conscious lyrics with 'pure' reggae.
The music is in the tradition of Bob Marley clearly, and not only because the (remaining) Wailers accompany Ivorian Alpha Blondy.

The album is the best Alpha Blondy made (another great one is 'Apartheid is Nazism) and it is one of the best Reggae albums I am aware of.

I got hip to Alpha Blondy from my Polish and German roomates in Berlin. They took me to a concert after work back in the '90 (I think it was). I was initiated.

A great compliment to it's universal reach is the surprise I got when I woke to my mean ol' busdriver (on the long ride from Calais to Dover) groovin' to "I love Paris" on his tape player (I was sitting directly behind him). He smiled when I told him that it was a favorite of mine.

That was the same year I attended The Wall concert in Nie mann's Land (excuse the no man's land misspell). I miss my homies in Nollendorfplatz!

Up there with the best work of Marley, Tosh, and Bunny Wailer.

There is not a note, lyric or rhythm I'd change on this album. It is old school reggae at its zenith. The hypnotic rhythm and heart felt lyrics are mostly of a by-gone era when the reggae meant more than the dance beat. Alpha Blondy may not hail from the islands, but who said that was a requirement? This is good reggae you can listen to over and over and still enjoy.

For the seasoned Reggae ears, you are in for a huge treat with this CD. This is Alpha Blondy's best album hands down. If you are looking for an awesome Reggae CD that you've never heard before, this is it. Forget the Best Of album, it's not even close. I was introduced to this album back in 1991 living in Hawaii. A full blooded Hawaiian friend of mine turned me on to it, need I say what we were doing at the time? Reggae is all the Hawaiians listen to. Go to the music store on the islands and see how the Reggae section takes up the whole store. This guy was a SEASONED Reggae man. This was what he listened to 95% of the time. I fell in love at first taste. Stoney, Stoney, Stoney......

One of my all-time favourites, this album is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever made. Period.

Just when I thought I knew what was what, I heard this album! I like reggae but I'm not a die-hard. Fortunately that's not a prerequisite to enjoy this album. If you like danceable grooves that get into your bones, good hooks and a varied pace, you'll love Jerusalem. I like Alpha Blondy's voice too. Reminds me a little of Burning Spear's, though he'll slip into a little French or some other language now and again. No problem - the groove the tune the voice is all there and if you hear faint traces of the Wailers, that's because they backed him on this album, his fourth (apparently they had worked with him on the title track of his second album as well). This album makes me want to hear more from Alpha Blondy. It's a winner all the way through.

Product came in a timely manner and in excellent condition. Classic Wailers sound from the 80's par excellence.